Novato, CA - Assemblymember Jared Huffman will be holding a press conference announcing the winners of his annual “Oughta Be a Law” contest. This year’s winners consisted of eight constituents who had almost identical entries.  Their legislative idea, requiring utilities to pay individuals for the excess solar and other forms of renewable energy they produce at their homes, small businesses or farms, will be unveiled at SPG Solar’s Novato headquarters.  SPG Solar is the largest solar producer in California.  

Winners:   

Bruce Gustin – Petaluma
Jim Lammers – San Anselmo
Steve Kunkel – Fairfax
Jared Babula – Sausalito
George Davidson – Larkspur
Peter Berkhout – San Rafael
Tom Faust – Corte Madera
Ray Gallian – Sonoma

Specifically, the new legislation will enable residents who produce renewable energy for their homes, small businesses or farms to get paid by their utility company for any excess electricity they produce that goes back on the grid.  The bill is open to all renewable energy technologies that qualify for net metering such as solar, small wind, small scale geothermal, fuel cells, etc.  The level of compensation for the renewable energy producing customer would be determined by the Public Utilities Commission and would help the utility meet their renewable energy goals mandated by state law. 

Contacts:

Joshua Townsend   
Assemblymember Huffman                                    
Joshua.townsend@asm.ca.gov                
(415) 260-1647                                      

Nate Solov
Assemblymember Huffman                                    
nathan.solov@asm.ca.gov                 
(916) 319-2006

Bernadette Del Chiaro
Environment California & Environment California Research & Policy Center
916-446-8062 x 103
Bernadette@environmentcalifornia.org 

Margi Levin
SPG Solar, Inc.
 415.382.2125
www.spgsolar.com